Howard Smiedt

HOWARD SMIEDT
CHIEF CREATIVE OFFICER, GEOMETRY GLOBAL - EMEA

Now celebrating 37 consecutive years with WPP, and in particular, The Ogilvy Group, Howard has moved through the ranks from Art Director to Chief Creative Officer.

Qualified in graphic design, he has honed his expertise across a multitude of communication disciplines and channels.

His passion for behavioural change and channel planning inspired him to launch 'Brand Activation'​, the first 'activation'​ business within Ogilvy, South Africa in 2002 as CEO and CCO.

Howard, a highly regarded, award winning 'creative business leader says: "One of my greatest achievements was being elected by my then mentor, Robyn Putter, to the Ogilvy South Africa EXCO, responsible for the strategic direction and creative excellence of its operation."​

During his years of experience he has been instrumental in launching and shaping many brands across a multitude of categories.

In 2007 Howard relocated to London, becoming Chief Creative Officer, EMEA at Ogilvy Action.

In 2013, Howard was intimately involved in the global merger between OgilvyAction and G2, and in launching Geometry Global, now the world's largest [and most awarded] activation network.

Howard remains a custodian of the company's 'Global Creative Community'​ – its objective and ambition, to elevate and maintain the companies creative reputation with 'PIVOTAL IDEAS'​ that transform brand equity into action.